Triton-X100 permeabilizes cell membranes, and allows reagents access to both the cytosol and nuclear material. Triton-X100 is often used to stain fixed cells with antibodies, especially for BrdU or DAPI type staining...!!
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Triton X-100 (C14H22O(C2H4O)n) is a nonionic surfactant which has a hydrophilic polyethylene oxide chain (on average it has 9.5 ethylene oxide units) and an aromatic hydrocarbon lipophilic or hydrophobic group. The hydrocarbon group is a 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl group. It is closely related to IGEPAL CA-630 or erstwhile Nonidet P-40 which might differ from it in mainly slightly shorter ethylene oxide units. Thus Triton X-100 being slightly more hydrophilic than Igepal CA-630; these two detergents may not be considered to be functionally interchangeable in most applications. Triton X-100 was originally a registered trademark of Rohm & Haas Co. It was subsequently purchased by Union Carbide and then acquired by the Dow Chemical Company upon the acquisition of Union Carbide. Soon afterward (in 2009), Dow also acquired Rohm & Haas Co. Other trademarks for very similar compounds include: Conco NI, Dowfax 9N, Igepal CO, Makon, Neutronyx 600's, Nonipol NO, Plytergent B, Renex 600's, Solar NO, Sterox, Serfonic N, T-DET-N, Tergitol NP, Triton N etc. :) :)